Callahan Lifts NHS Baseball

Newington senior Shaun Callahan delivers a pitch in the 7th inning during the Nor'easters 12-7 victory over Glastonbury on May 18. Callahan registered the save and drove in four runs in the victory. 

Newington baseball jumped out to a commanding 9-0 lead against Glastonbury and then held off a late rally to win 12-6, earning a key Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) victory at Riverfront Park in Glastonbury on May 18.
           
Senior Shaun Callahan was clutch from the plate and finished the game on the hill, entering in during the sixth inning to pick up the save. 
           
“I just wanted to throw strikes,” Callahan said of his mindset on the mound. 
           
Callahan connected on three hits, including a triple, scoring two runs and driving in four more. 
           
After Glastonbury scored five runs in the sixth inning to narrow the deficit to 9-6, Callahan put the finishing touches on the game in the 7th by clearing the bases with a standing double.
           
Prior to Callahan’s hit, Glastonbury intentionally walked Josiah Ross to load the bases. 
           
“I understand what Glastonbury was doing. They wanted to get a force, so they walked our No. 2 hitter to get to Shaun, but the other side of that coin is that you are pitching to one of the better hitters in the CCC and he did his job and hit a base loaded double,” NHS head coach Ben Alaimo said. “Shaun is a phenomenal player and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
           
Austyn Howe started the game and picked up the win, throwing four scoreless innings.
           
Howe was coming off an outstanding pitching performance in a 1-0 loss to Windsor, pitching a complete game and allowing only four hits to one of the best teams in the state
           
“Austyn had a real emotional game in his last outing where he pitched phenomenal,” said Alaimo. “He had a really nice start [tonight] and gave us an opportunity to win the game.”
           
Nick Kelly also had a big day from the plate, connecting on a double and triple.
           
“Credit to Glastonbury for not lying down; a lot of teams will shut it down after a 9-0 hole and they didn’t. They came back and they kept fighting,” added Alaimo.
           
Two days later, the Nor’easters closed the week with a 12-5 road win over Southington, improving to 15-3.
           
Senior Chase Prestia earned the win, striking out six. Callahan continued to deliver from the plate, connecting on two more hits––including a home run––scoring four runs and driving in two more.    
           
Alaimo added that he likes that his team is getting tested by quality teams prior to the postseason tournaments.  
           
“These tight situations against good teams are exactly what you want to prepare for any type of run we could make in the state tournament,” added Alaimo. “We are trying to put ourselves in those situations so when we get to the state tournament it feels like a normal day.”
           
Callahan, who has committed to play baseball at the University of New Haven next year, added that the team “can’t let down” and will need everybody buying in once the win-or-go-home games start.